Tuesday, March 26, 2013

In 2009, I wrote about the Oregon Trail winding through Wyoming. In my opinion, the most preserved section of the Oregon Trail is in Southeastern Wyoming near Guernsey. The ruts at that location are carved from solid rock as the wagon trains made their way over the hillside.

In the 1970s the ruts were accessible via a cement path straight up the hill. Today, the Oregon Trail ruts are easily accessible, even to the handicapped, via a meandering cement walkway wide enough for a wheelchair. Alongside the current pathway are benches so weary visitors can rest. It is still possible to stand in the ruts and to feel the rock that was steadily worn down by wagons and carts from 1836 - 1869.

Oregon Trail ruts
south of Guernsey, WY
circa 1978

The photo above gives a clear view of the hill's incline. The ruts offer not only a glimpse into the westward migration of the pioneers but also provide a testament to their character. These images reveal that the way was not easy. The ruts illustrate that the determined pioneers forged ahead day after day towards something that they had never seen: they had a goal, and they persevered. In this area, the pioneers carved the trail out of solid rock, and over 150 years later that path can still teach many lessons.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Sheila's photo illustrates that the Japanese allow pets on the grounds of the Tadaiji Temple, but dogs must be carried and not on a leash.

Sheila mentioned a wooden column with a hole through its base and that it is a popular belief that those who can squeeze through the hole will gain enlightenment. Sheila was adventurous and made it through the tunnel. Sheila's other photos can be seen here.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Apple of My Eye
Western Region Oddball Baby Blanket
started December 2012

Originally, I planned to knit a red section on this blanket, but when the blanket arrived at my house, it didn't seem appropriate. Red would have been too much for this precious blanket, so I played it safe and added a stripe of light green.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Mrs. Bond was my sixth grade teacher. Actually, I think she taught every one of my brothers and sisters. She appeared to be a gruff lady; however, she was a softy once you got to know her.

No one messed around in Mrs. Bond's class: she was all business. One thing that she pounded into our heads was the difference between "picture" and "pitcher" and how enunciation was important for communication. The picture of George Washington hanging on the wall behind her desk was often used to illustrate her point. Whenever I see that picture today, I remember her insistence in enunciation.

Mrs. Bond was special to me because she went out of her way to help me when I was in her class. I broke both bones in my leg the summer of 1962, and started school that fall with a heavy plaster cast from my toes to the middle of my thigh. Mrs. Bond's classroom was on the second story of the brick building. Every morning, she met me at the bottom of the stairs and helped me up staircase. She helped me down the stairs to go to the bathroom and back up the stairs to class. I had the cast for 17 weeks, and she helped me every day during that time. It was during those long weeks that I discovered Mrs. Bond was a softy.

Long after she retired and I had a classroom of my own in Wheatland, I wrote to Mrs. Bond. I wanted her to know how much I appreciated her help and how much she meant to me.

Friday, March 15, 2013

These homes are on the bank of the Nakajima River in Nagasaki, near Spectacle Bridge. A previous post of this area can be found here.
The rock wall is typical of those that surround castles in this area.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Frequently, I find some gems in my inbox. Dorothy sent the following last week, and while it was new to me, no doubt, it has been circulating the internet for years. If you've seen it before, my apologies.

The essay is not mine, but the photos of abandoned buildings in this post are some I took several years ago. Sadly, many all of these old buildings are no longer standing.

Abandoned shed
near Provo, SD
June 2011

Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old fellow who always prayed, 'Lord, prop us up on our leanin' side.'

After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently.

Old barn and corrals
north of Laramie, WY
Spring 1976

He answered, 'Well, it's like this. I got an old barn out back. It's been there a long time; it's withstood a lot of weather; it's gone thru a lot of storms, and it's stood for many years. It's still standin’.

Old house
near Esterbrook, WY
Autumn 1977

But one day I noticed it was leanin’ to one side a bit. So I went and got some pine poles and propped it up on its leanin’ side so it wouldn't fall.

Abandoned shed
near Provo, SD
June 2011

Then I got to thinkin’ ‘bout how much I was like that old barn. I’ve been around a long time. I've withstood a lot of life's storms. I've withstood a lot of bad weather in life. I've withstood a lot of hard times, and I'm still standin’, too.

But I find myself leanin’ to one side from time to time, so I ask the Lord to prop me up on my leanin’ side, 'cause I figure a lot of us get to leanin’ at times.